Student Success Starts Before Kindergarten

Panelist address student success

Studies show a child’s brain is 90 percent developed before he or she even enters kindergarten.

The achievement gap is really a readiness gap.  Districts are looking at early childhood programs to close that gap and boost long-term achievement.

In 2006, Arizona voters backed a tax increase on tobacco products and with it, the promise to keep funding for early childhood services.  The initiative created the statewide First Things First board and regional partnership councils.  These councils make sure the early childhood funds are spent on strategies that will result in improved education and health outcomes for kids five and younger.

Only 33 percent of Arizona children attend pre-school, 46 percent nationwide.  But studies show Early Childhood programs give kids a solid start in life and everyone benefits when kids arrive at school prepared to be successful.

Studies show that kids who start out behind stay behind and students who receive pre-math and pre-literacy skills before kindergarten are set up to succeed.

Irene Mahoney Paige

Gilbert Public Schools